A Letter from the President

Dr. Amelia S. Haygood, president and founder of Delos International, has a few words about this year's 30th anniversary for the label and upcoming releases. Follow the link below or scroll down for the entire text.

This year we celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Delos label. At about this time 30 years ago, I was running around the country with my LP-size briefcase, hand-carrying samples of our first releases to new friends and acquaintances in press, radio and retail. Some said I was foolish; some said I was brave. But most everyone was interested in the idea of a label formed to give outstanding American artists an international platform.

Three recordings of three fine American orchestras herald our anniversary year, all recorded DSD and destined to appear in both CD and SACD-Surround format, as are all of our new recordings. "American Contrasts," features the distinguished American conductor James DePreist conducting the Oregon Symphony in music by American composers both long-established and relatively new on the scene: Vincent Persichetti's Symphony No. 4, Benjamin Lees' Passacaglia, and Michael Daugherty's "Sundown on South Street" and "Hell's Angels." This release is especially appropriate: Jimmy was our very first conductor, beginning in the mid-1970s; and one of the things Delos is known for is our history of championing American composers.

The Dallas Symphony, led by the brilliant American conductor Andrew Litton, presents a ravishing version of Mahler's Symphony No. 4, continuing the DSO's successful Mahler series.

The dynamic Zdenek Macal presents the final album in his definitive series of Dvorak's major choral works with the New Jersey Symphony and the Westminster Symphonic Choir under the eminent Joseph Flummerfelt. The album features the Te Deum, and includes the Psalm 149 and the Overtures "In Nature's Realm," "Carnival" and "Othello."

Later this year consummate American choral conductor and longtime Delos artist Dennis Keene brings us a new album, "Hear My Prayer," a varied program with his splendid Voices of Ascension and soloist Hei-Kyung Hong.

Our exciting American/Russian collaborations continue this year, under the direction of the extraordinary American conductor Constantine Orbelian. In September, Constantine and his "crème-de-la-crème" Philharmonia of Russia celebrate the Khachaturian 100th Anniversary Year with a new symphonic album of Khachaturian's music, including suites from "Spartacus" and the rarely heard "Ode of Joy" in which Constantine and the orchestra are joined by Russia's wonderful Spiritual Revival Choir and the sensational young mezzo Marina Domashenko. The new Khachaturian album will be available in time for the October 10 Carnegie Hall Khachaturian Anniversary concert featuring the same artists, who will also be joined by the Yale Choir. Peter Rosen's remarkable new documentary film on Khachaturian will be premiered in New York City at the same time.

Our star baritone Dmitri Hvorostovsky's new album will appear in August, and is something so special that I know my description won't do it justice. Dmitri and Constantine put together an emotionally charged program, "Where Are You, My Brothers." These favorite Russian Songs from the War Years are performed by Dmitri, Constantine, the superb Moscow Chamber Orchestra, the Spiritual Revival Choir, and the virtuoso Russian traditional instrument ensemble, Style of Five. The all-new arrangements were done by the talented Evgeny Stetsuk, leader of the Style of Five. I didn't grow up knowing these songs, as Dmitri, Constantine and all of the other performers did, but I grew up knowing the sentiments expressed so poignantly, and I know that handkerchiefs will be appropriate gear when listening to this recording. At the time we were recording this album we had no idea how many people around the world would soon be experiencing some of the feelings expressed in these songs.

Also appearing this year will be the outstanding Ukrainian baritone Vassily Gerello's first solo album, Favorite Ukrainian Songs, with Constantine, the Moscow Chamber Orchestra and Style of Five. The arrangements for this delightful album were also done by Evgeny Stetsuk.

Later this year we will release a new album of Russian music performed by an American orchestra: James DePreist conducting a new version of one of his all-time favorite pieces of music, the Shostakovich Symphony No. 11, "1905," with his Oregon Symphony. Recorded live in performance, Jimmy's new DSD 11th has sonic advantages over his much-praised version with the Helsinki Philharmonic. "Well, what's the worst-case scenario?" Jimmy laughed when we first discussed his idea of a new 11th. "That some will still prefer our OLD version..."

This year we will release the remaining albums in the first-ever complete set of Shostakovich Songs, with distinguished vocal artists from St. Petersburg accompanied by Yuri Serov, who conceived and produced the series. This will make five volumes in all. We will also release this year the complete songs of Balakirev (2 CDs) and Rimsky-Korsakov (3 CDs), continuing the project that began with the complete songs of Prokofiev and Borodin. We feel fortunate to have this relationship with Yuri, who has both the knowledge and the artistry to produce such a unique series.

We mourn the loss this year of our dear friend, and one of the great pianists of our time, John Browning. This year we will be issuing a special tribute package offering John's last two recordings for Delos, the Liszt and Rachmaninov solo programs.

This past year we have added to our activities a few select North American distribution partnerships. Everyone still persevering in our classical recording industry is aware of the new business models that are being developed by those determined to find ways to bring fine recordings into the world. Artist-owned projects are no longer relegated to the category of vanity recordings, but are accepted as a logical and viable response to current conditions. In the past year we have begun distributing the new label Avie, formed by our friends Melanne Mueller and Simon Foster, whose artist-owned projects are imaginative, diverse and fascinating. We also began distributing the beautiful new self-produced San Francisco Symphony Mahler series with Michael Tilson Thomas. We have also begun distribution of an exciting new self-produced series by the Orchestra of St. Luke's with Donald Runnicles. Their first CD offers Mozart Symphonies 39 and 41.

As our marketplace changes, you can be sure that we are exploring some new leading-edge (maybe razor's edge) directions, and you'll be the first to know. We share the awareness that our world needs the balm of music.

Please see the attached for information about our "30 for 30" celebration.

With all best wishes,

Amelia S. Haygood
Founder and President